State May Revoke Release Of Man Who Killed Stepfather

November 23, 2012|By JOSH KOVNER, jkovner@courant.com

MIDDLETOWN — The state board that monitors offenders acquitted of crimes by reason of insanity will consider revoking the release of Leroy Harris, who shot his stepfather to death in New Haven in 1982 because he believed the man told lies about him.

Harris, then 33, was acquitted of the murder by reason of mental disease of defect, and was committed to Connecticut Valley Hospital for 25 years. State prosecutors have since argued successfully for a pair of two-year extensions, one in 2008 and one in 2010.

In May, the state Psychiatric Security Review Board approved a conditional community release for Harris, now 62. He was living in an apartment and receiving assistance from mental-health counselors. But at some point, he stopped going to his required drug-treatment sessions, said Ellen Weber Lachance, executive director of the PSRB.

"Mr. Harris has been inconsistent in his compliance,'' said Lachance. Harris was returned to CVH last week and the board at its Dec. 7 meeting will vote whether to revoke his community release. His time under the PSRB's jurisdiction is set to expire on Dec. 3, and Lachance said it's possible Harris's commitment would be extended a third time.

Meanwhile, Franklin Foster faces his first commitment extension. Foster, now 36, wandered into an elementary school in Stamford in 2001 and began attacking sixth graders. He grabbed a student in front of the gym doors and punched him in the face and kicked him while the boy was on the ground. He later said voices told him to go into the building and fight the first person he saw.

He was acquitted of charges of assault, burglary and carrying two knives, and committed to CVH for 10 years. State prosecutors have filed a request that he remain at CVH past his April release date. The board at its Dec. 7 meeting will make a recommendation to Superior Court.

The Psychiatric Security Review Board has jurisdiction over 23 people on conditional release in the community, and about 127 people at CVH, who are either in the maximum security Whiting Forensic Division, medium security Dutcher Hall, or in a general hospital ward.